Video: Bmw M5 versus Tesla Model S

Who would have thought a drag race between a Tesla Model S electric sedan and a 2013 BMW M5 would be a close one? Not many people would but that’s exactly what happened when automobilemag.com contributor Ezra Dyer pitted these two luxury sedans against each other at Gingerman Raceway in western Michigan.

In this impromptu drag race, both vehicles had to go from 0-to-100-mph. Let’s compare them. The 2013 BMW M5 uses a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine with an output of 560 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. It has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. The EPA said that the car has a fuel economy rating of 14/20 mpg (city/highway).

On the other hand, the 2013 Tesla Model S Performance is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor rated for 416 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. It has lower power than the BMW but its motor instantly produces its torque while the M5′s torque band peaks at 1500 rpm.

Supporting the Tesla’s electric motor is an 85-kWh lithium-ion battery that the company believes will result to a driving range of about 300 miles per charge. There’s not much difference between the two in terms of price and weight. The BMW M5 has a sticker price of $106,695 (after destination) and has a weight of 4387 lbs. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model S Performance has price tag of $102,270 and weighs 4640 lbs.